Help urgently needed

House of Fraser have at least 50% off top designer labels at the moment. Mother of the bride shopping is an absolute nightmare if you're not the perfect shape. I know the feeling only too well being under 5ft and overweight. Good luck!

I used the John Lewis personal shopper for the first time last summer (it's free) and she was excellent, I will certainly use it again if I ever have the need.
Shoes - I can't wear heels either, but for my son's wedding last June I wore wedges; they are much easier to wear and gave me some height (my son and ex-H are both 6'6" and I still look tiny in the photos (and I'm 5'6"!). They were Gabor wide fitting sandals, but they looked great, were much admired and felt comfortable all day.
Don't stress trying to lose weight. Enjoy the build up to the event and most of all - the wedding!

Try an Ann Balon outfit - look online and also in some good stores - I was MOTB in August and have the same complaints as you!!! Hotter sell a lovely comfortable shoe called Jewel. Have a lovely wedding x

marpau - can I do Zumba with a knee replacement do you think? Jinglbells frocks - my DD was a rower (and husband too) - also it was my one and only visit to Debenhams!!! Promise! Sadly no Fenwicks within 100 miles. Indinana and Anya - that is sounding a good plan - not sure about the tuna and pasta thing as OH expects to eat at 8.30pm - which is a nightmare - he never gets back any earlier and thinks I am anti social if I eat by myself at a more sensible hour. I am going to trawl all the suggested websites and then have a crack at the personal shopper route - DD is suggesting she comes with me and 'brings a friend', that will definitely result in tears. (mine).

Completely empathise. Don't know where you live - the following is a link to a shop in Bourne End near Maidenhead, Berkshire - though Bourne End might be in Bucks!
www.no25ofbourneend.co.uk/
Several of my friends have bought stunning mother of the bride outfits there- not cheap admittedly. Even if nowhere near you it might help to look at the styles.

I hate shopping, and I am overidealweight and hate high heels too. I bought my Mother of the Bride outfit for Firstborn's wedding about 36 hours beforehand in Debenhams - I found a light coloured skirt/suit and top, and clarke's summery sandals (though they weren't totally comfortable they weren't high)
If I hadn't found it I would def have gone for the personal shopper in debenhams. I would also say start with a good bra and work outwards
;)

Since That Wedding I have discovered Hobbs dresses which are delightful and some of their roomy size 18s will accomodate an H cup bra. They may have summer jackets too.

I would also say to stop worrying too much about your arms and get some nice lippy for the photos, that't the thing I forgot. I did go to the hairdressers on the day so I looked presentable up top though.

I've been brave and posted a picture of myself (+DD & DH) at DD2's wedding. I am also short 5'2"and plump, but fell in love with this dress seeing it on-line and even more when I saw it in reality. The beauty of the full skirt style is that all you need is an undergarment to flatten your front between bust and waist and fat tummy and thighs are hidden. The little 'jacket' was actually a blouse which made it light enough to wear all day even for dancing so bingo wings were not visible.

I loved my full skirted dresses as a teenager and felt this outfit was much more 'me' than all the fitted, draped MOTB dresses that I was shown.

You sound very similar to me.If I have something to dress up for I always have a look at a Chesca,I know they have outlets in John Lewis and other stores.They sorted me out for my daughters wedding,lovely fluid dress with small sleeve and jacket for our unpredictable summer!Good luck.

Don't know where you are granarchist but for 2 of my children's weddings I went to Mary's of Enfield, which is actually in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. They do a wonderful selection of Mother of the Bride outfits, including Capri which has lovely floaty chiffon dresses and jackets in gorgeous colours. They also do hats/fascinators and shoes/bags to match any of the outfits, and will do any alterations necessary too. Good luck and enjoy the wedding.

Jacques Vert is excellent. I got my outfit from their range. I too am a couple of stone overweight and I'm 5'3". My outfit was a navy, floaty two piece. The top covered the waist which was elasticated but you'd never have known. I topped it off with a pale blue jacket with navy piping. Navy shoes and bag. The staff in the better shops are great at giving advice, so don't be afraid to ask.

Don't go frumpy! You can get some gorgeous clothes that will suit your shape. Trying on is the only way to know if it makes you feel comfortable and confident. Try Joseph or Jeager for classic cut and sophistication. A lovely maxi dress perhaps with a bolero jacket or cashmere wrap with some very pretty low heels. You can always change footware after photos ready for a night dancing. Enjoy the day and I am sure you will look fabulous.

When my son got married I went to PhaseEight, bought a lovely floaty skirt with a toning shaped jacket and a cami underneath. In the evening I discarded the jacket for a 3/4 sleeve shrug, sequin trimmed which matched the cami. Change of shoes and, job done, a different outfit.
When my daughter re-married last year we took my 14 year old grand-daughter, who lives in jeans and shorts, to an appointment with a personal shopper at Debenhams. I'd never had experience of this before but thought it was a wonderful idea and I would definitely use this myself if another 'posh do' comes along.

helmacd - I am not a million miles from Bourne End - oh wow some of those dresses look amazing - I may have to be brave - I cannot thank everyone enough - I must man up. (and melt c card - or what's left of it after DD choice of dress) - she was going to borrow a dress but then her sisters took her to a heavenly shop and now ............ but she is offering to repay me and I know she will when she can.

Granarchist lots of good advice on here. Personal shoppers are so good, they really know their stock and have no preconceived notions about you. I have found it best to make an appointment in advance with a PS as they are increasingly in demand and knowing you have someone waiting for you takes any shopping stress away.
Have a lovely day

Phase Eight? I am five foot one and their stuff looks OK on me when other shops' outfits swamp me.

Also, two stone by April should be do-able. Have two Weetabix, skimmed milk and low cal sweetener for lunch, only snack on fruit and have a small but nice dinner in the evening of a grilled salmon & salad type. Only drink alcohol at the weekends.

I'm only 4'10" and big-busted, and I went to Mary's of Enfield for my outfit for DS1's wedding. They recommended a John Charles outfit that I would never have picked out myself, but when I (reluctantly) tried it on, I knew immediately that it was "the one" ! They definitely know their stuff, and on the day I must admit that I felt a million dollars.

Oops - meant to add this ?

Phase Eight do some styles that are very forgiving and stretchy. I'm 5" 3" and overweight and they are good for me. Most have no sleeves but they do jackets and shrugs. Staff very helpful and knowledgeable.

Having gone through this for my kids weddings and been lacking in confidence my advice would be "go with your own gut feeling and if you are comfortable it will shine through". No one else bothers and once the day starts you won't have time to either. Enjoy.

Help. Just read JanT8 post. Our DD getting married in March and I thought I was sorted with my Phase Eight dress. I'm 5' 2" and bit over weight but I'm hoping I'll look ok. Not confident as I NEVER wear dresses. Anyway... do I need a different outfit for the evening? This is something that hadn't occurred to me

My dd1 got married in October. I'm not particularly short, at 5ft 6, but carry a bit of extra weight on my tummy, of which I am very conscious.

I looked in various places for an outfit but loathed all the MOTB outfits as they seemed so frumpy or gaudy, just not me. And the prices, starting at £700!! I ended up in Debenhams and got talking to the lady in the Jacques Vert/Phase Eight department. She gave me a few ideas and when I tried them on, it was very obvious which was The One for me. She was so knowledgable about what suited my height/weight/shape etc. I returned later with my Dd, to get her approval but didn't buy it then as we had to go to her dress fitting. I went back a couple of days later, only to find that everything had 30% off, while the shoes were now half price plus 30% off! My dh was delighted, haha!

My outfit was a knee-length shell-pink lace semi-fitted dress, with sleeves that came about half way down to my elbows. (I was adamant I needed sleeves!), and a satin jacket to go on top. I managed to wear shoes with small heels even though I've had a badly broken leg which has taken me a long time to recover from. I was delighted with my outfit as it felt very comfortable, in fact, I wasn't really aware I was all dressed up, iykwim. So, another recommendation for Debenhams/Jacques Vert from me!

I'm 4ft 9" and at least 2 stone over weight. My daughter got married last year, I was really anxious that the other mother of the bride would look glamorous in her tall shoes and expensive outfit and I'd look short, fat and dumpy! But I went to Boundary Mill and bought a lovely dress, matching Jacket, hat, shoes and bag for under £200. There is plenty of choice from Jacques Vert, Gina Bacconi, Anna Rose and so on. Worth a trip. On the day I felt a fabulous and walked tall! (In a very low heel)
If Boundary Mill is too far there is a lovely Bridal Shop in Astley, Manchester called 'one special day' the lady there is fantastic she has lots of gorgeous outfits all budgets.

Good luck

When DS got married I bought two Condici outfits, one a dress and coat and the other a trouser suit. I wore the trouser suit, it was cream with a sleeveless overblouse and a 3/4 floaty Nehru jacket. The outfit also came with a matching floaty scarf. I wore flat cream shoes because I had to be comfortable all day. It was the first time I had worn trousers to a wedding but I did not feel out of place in fact I had a lot of compliments. I should add I wore cream but the bride wore red and gold, I would not have done so if the bride had been in white or cream.
When DD got married I bought a suit the same colour as the accent colour for the wedding, I matched the flowers and SIL's tie

I've read all the comments from everybody with great interest as my DSD is getting married in August and though I am only step mum to the bride I want to look my best!! I too am only 5ft and at least a stone overweight ( the diet starts now) I m hoping to get my outfit in England as clothes here are very expensive and don't fit me well as there are no "petites" available! I can see me going to Boundary Mill or Debenhams a couple of days before the big day in a complete panic!!

Debenhams is brilliant. I also didn't want a mother of the bride(groom in my case) outfit, but something I felt comfortable wearing. They listen to you, ask about your lifestyle, ask about why you are wearing what you are wearing (I was in jeans and t-shirt!) and work with that. Can't praise them too highly. Take someone reliable and honest with you. The main thing is that you should be able to forget your appearance on the day, relax and enjoy it, without feeling "all dressed up." Good luck.

PS 2 stone is nothing that good bra and support pants can't sort out. Debenhams help with that too.

helmacd - I'm off to Bourne End this weekend - they sounded lovely on the telephone, even when I said I am going to cry and hate shopping!!!